Vermaelen relaxed about Barca bid talk

Thomas Vermaelen has refused to be drawn on reports linking him with Barcelona, with the Belgium international insisting he is focused on fighting for his place at Arsenal.

Vermaelen arrived at Arsenal in 2009 and looked to be the answer to the club's defensive troubles when having a fine first season at the Emirates.

However, injuries have set him back and his form has been patchy this term. And in recent weeks he has lost his place in the side, which is a source of frustration to the defender.

Despite the setback of being dropped, Vermaelen is not sulking and stressed he will fight for his place under Arsene Wenger.

"I don't want to go too much into my situation as I am with the national team," Vermaelen told Sky Sports News. "Of course I want to play every game. But you are playing for a big club so you know this sort of thing can happen.

"It has happened before and I am not worried too much. I am working hard every day to do well."

Vermaelen has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona, but the 27-year-old claims it is not something that will distract him.

He said: "There is nothing I have heard so I can't say anything about that."